Tuesday 11 August 2009

Aung San Suu Kyi


Aung San Suu Kyi was unsurprisingly found guilty yet again by the regime of Burma. The court sentenced her to three years in prison but that was immediately reduced to 18 months on the orders of the military government, who also said she could serve the time in her Rangoon home. This of course would keep her out of the public eye while elections take place in Burma. Yet also seem lenient in the wake of public opinion. It doesn't however change the fact she is a political prisoner.

I have a great deal of respect for Aung San Suu Kyi, what a remarkable woman. She won the 1990 general election, she should be Prime Minister. Instead was put under detention by the military regime and prevented from assuming office. She has spent the last 19 years imprisoned, isolated, under house arrest or unable to leave Burma. Yet she endures with such calm dignity, as if she knows her day will come.

This sentence presents a chance for it to come sooner, the international community needs to unite, until now they have been divided on how best to deal with Burma or acting in isolation. The fact the regime lowered the sentence shows they are not immune to international pressure or completely unconcerned. That is something to exploit and I truly hope they do.




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